Fernando Manzaneque’s victory in the 16th stage of Tour de France 1963 isn’t intirguing because of some relation to the overall competition, but because it happened among rather extraordinary circumstances.
Snow at the Tour de France is rare, but not impossible. During the 120 years of Tour de France history it happened a few times. For example, in 1996 organizers had to shorten the stage including Iseran for this very reason.
On 9 July 1963 the peloton of Tour de France started the day in Grenoble and finished in Val d’Isere. Between the two towns cyclists had to climb Croix de Fer and Iseran.
Manzaneque finished the stage 5 minutes and 3 seconds ahead of Renzo Fontona.
Meanwhile the two main favourites, Federico Bahamontes and Jacques Aquetil, arrived together. Because the actual yellow jersey man, Gilbert Desmet, came far more behind them, Bahamontes took over the lead in the general classification for a day. On next day Anquetil managed to claim the yellow jersey after a stage victory and took a huge step forward to win his 4th Tour de France.